WEEN Academy Mentor Spotlight: Shartia Brantley

Why did you decide to be a WEEN Academy Mentor?
I think it is important to provide a window into a profession for young women to help demystify it. This means showing the good and not the good aspects of the industry. My goal is to help a young woman set her expectations and craft her short-term and long-term career plans.

Tell us one interesting fact about your personal/or professional background that served as groundwork for you to become a mentor?
I am a career changer. After working in supply chain consulting, I moved to New York to attend graduate school and pursue my passion for journalism. I let low self-esteem as a young woman prevent me from realizing my dreams sooner. I have placed many self-imposed barriers on myself and have had to overcome them. I know how it feels to have goals bigger than what your current environment may foster.

How did you build your personal/professional brand?
I have built my brand by being credible and authentic. If I commit to something I give it 110%. I have a big personality and I treat everyone from elected officials to CEOs to people others may consider to be at the lowest rungs of society– with respect.

What are two gems that you wish someone would have told you about the business?
(A). Networking! The media and entertainment industry is very small. It’s all about who knows you. Try to go to as many industry events as possible and don’t be a wall flower – put yourself out there and introduce yourself to people. You never know who you may meet.
(B) Perception is reality! Be open to feedback. Sometimes it may be tough to receive. However, if it’s coming from a genuine place take heed and make the necessary changes.

Who is/was your most significant mentor and why?
Dr. Mollie Brown. She was the graduate advisor for the Gamma Sigma chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority at Albany State University. She also served as graduate advisor for the Alpha Kappa Mu Honor Society. She strongly encouraged me to do internships during college. As an accounting major, I gained real world experience and honed my analytical and interpersonal skills. She also encouraged me to pursue my M.B.A. With an increasingly global marketplace, she wanted me to be competitive and not have any barriers keeping me from being at the table. She remains my mentor today. I seek her advice on major moves in my career.

What are some things that you are doing to make the entertainment business a better place for women?
I try to be a positive representation of a professional African-American woman. I work hard daily to dispel stereotypes about our competence and attitude.I also serve as an informal mentor for young women. I do informational interviews and allow them to shadow me at CNBC.

Who would play you in a modern day movie about your life and why?
This is a tough question. I think Taraji P. Henson could play me. She is very authentic and has a big and bubbly personality. She can be in a movie with Brad Pitt or Kevin Hart and remain true to herself.

What do you believe are important tools needed to survive in the entertainment industry?
(A) Master your craft. It is tough to take on more roles and responsibility if you are not excelling in your current role
(B) Networking – have a rolodex of people who know your work and what you stand for
(C) A board of advisors – surround yourself with veterans and be open to feedback
(D) Have a plan and do not be afraid to share it

What do you consider to be your biggest accomplishment?
My biggest accomplishment is yet to come.
However, I am proud to be the first in my immediate family to earn a four-year college degree and masters degrees. I come from a humble background and want to encourage my nieces and nephews to set higher goals for themselves.

Famous or not: Name one woman who embodies what you think a real woman is and explain. Dead or alive
My mother. She represents real women. She has a big and strong personality yet has a heart of gold and will do whatever she can to make things better for others — even to the detriment of herself at times. Even in the midst of drama or tragedy, she can find a silver lining or something to laugh or smile about.

Tell us something about you that people do not know?
I love to sing, especially gospel music. I have always wanted to be in a gospel choir. I need to make that happen J.

Social Media Handles:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/shartia.brantley
Twitter: @ShartiaBrantley

 

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